I feel horrible!!! Was it right? Was it wrong? IS there a right answer?

[GuineaMama]

The aftermath of what possums do to chickens would have you feeling much worse, I promise. When they enter your yard, kill them.

Exactly!

I had a possum show up in the afternoon at the waterers that are on the outside of my pens for the Guineas. By the time I went in to get the .22 and came back out it was under the porch looking all innocent. I shot it anyway as I've SEEN what they will do to chicks. It would only have been a matter of time until the one under your bush got into your pen and got the chickens.

The only 'good' possum is a dead possum. Coons are the same way. They will reach thru the fence to get to your chickens and if they can, they will kill them. I recently lost 6 eight week old chicks in one night to either a possum or coon. These chicks were INSIDE an enclosed area INSIDE my enclosed pen and something still got them.

 

[real_redhead]

Glad saw this just reminded me I need to go set the trap, hubby saw a oppossum last night! Dang things!

 

[Mattemma]

Sometimes I would go your route,and sometimes I won't.Thing for me is coming across critters WITHOUT the kids around.They have sympathy for everything.Me, I don't. I never had a coon or possum kill my hens,but that did not stop me from removing over 40 of them.You did right.Feeling bad is a normal reaction.

 

[canesisters]

Thank you everyone. I think that the worst of the 'guilt' was because I had to use a shovel to do it. I'm even more a newbie to firearms than I am to chickens but I'm taking my husband's old shotgun to a friend's this weekend. He showed me how to shoot it a while back but I want a 'refresher course' and some other info about it.
I'm also considering getting a small rifle for JUST this sort of situation.

 

[leonphelps]

I didnt feel the same guilt last night. Two of them walking around my run at 4 am. Guineas were going crazy. They were spooked this am. They will calm down later in the day.

 

[Folly's place]

Don't believe that possums are immune to rabies, they are somewhat resistant only. There have been rabid possums! You did right! Also see about refreshing your dog's vaccines now. Mary

 

[The Lazy L]

... a short time before it stopped playing dead so (not having a gun) I went to get a shovel. As it laid there playing dead - I drew back and smacked it in the head with everything I had.... But I feel terrible! ....

Makes you a Sheepdog and not a wolf. It's OK you feel bad BUT you did what needed to be done to protect your flock!

 

[Appylover]

In most cases opossums body temp is too low to contract the disease. I say in MOST cases because I believe there have been reports of them having it. I would have killed it also.

 

[canesisters]

Lazy L, that is quite an article.
I don't think that I would ever qualify to be a sheepdog as described there, but I have before - and will continue to do what must be done to protect those I'm responsible for.
Thank you for linking that article. Got me teared up remembering my wonderful 'warrior' husband.

 

[TeamChaos]

Good for you for taking the initiative to get familiarized w/ firearms in the near future. I never enjoy ending a life, so the comfort I take is in knowing I can do it swiftly and as humanely as possible. Prior to the gun, I had a couple go rounds w/ the shovel and, without sharing details to freshen both of our traumas, it was much harder to carry out than it is for me to pull the trigger.